Sweden’s Defence Minister Pal Jonson has accused Russia of deliberately transforming the Baltic Sea into a hotspot for hybrid warfare, reflecting a deepening sense of crisis and escalating tensions in the region. In an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND), Jonson declared that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its broader posture towards the West has rendered the Baltic Sea a de facto frontline for unconventional conflict.
“What is happening in the Baltic Sea is part of Russia’s war” he stated, characterizing the current situation as a shift in power dynamics vastly different from those observed during the Cold War. Jonson asserted that Russia’s ability to operate with impunity in the Baltic has significantly diminished. While maintaining bases in Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg, Russia’s maneuverability is heavily constrained by the increased presence and surveillance capabilities of Sweden and its NATO partners.
Beyond the military presence, Jonson’s comments underscore a plea for a broader European awakening, emphasizing that a shared desire for peace demands a fundamental shift in mindset. He called for a “mentalitätswandel” – a change in mentality – arguing that Europe must transition into a “war mode” to effectively deter aggression, defend its borders and safeguard the desired peace. Russia, he insisted, is constantly probing European resolve, seeking vulnerabilities to exploit.
Despite expressing confidence that Putin’s attempts to undermine European unity will ultimately fail, Jonson cautioned that peace is not passively granted but actively earned and defended. He demanded a more robust and assertive response to Russian actions. The minister explicitly called for new military measures to counter Russia’s escalation, whether directed against hybrid operations or airspace violations.
“Russia is prepared to take political and military risks and to intensify its hybrid operations” Jonson emphasized. “Therefore, we must counter and retaliate”. The Swedish defence chief’s pronouncements signal a significant hardening of rhetoric, suggesting a growing internal consensus within Sweden and potentially among its NATO allies regarding the need for a more assertive posture against Russia’s increasingly destabilizing actions in the Baltic region and beyond.